Three Classes in the

City

Rulers Deliberative

Auxiliary
Guardians

Money-making
Artisans/Producers

   
 Virtues Required in Just City

Rulers
Philosopher Kings Wisdom/Good Judgment

Guardians Courage

Self-mastery
Artisans/Producers
Sophrsōsunē

   
 Justice in the City
Everyone must practice what he is best
suited for
“doing one’s work and not meddling with
what isn’t one’s own” (433ab)

Rulers Govern; rule wisely
Philosopher Kings
Protect elementary education in 
music, poetry and physical 
Guardians training; guard against wealth
& poverty; obey rulers

Artisans/Producers Produce, make money, be 
craftsmen
   
 Education of the Guardians

   
Justice in the soul
Plato’s Republic Book IV
Tripartite Soul
Soul City
(440d)
Rational Rulers Shepherd
Wise ruling part—exercises
Foresight for the good of the soul

Spirited Guardians Sheep Dog

Obeys the rational part and helps
to rally and govern the appetites

Appetitive Producers Sheep

Irrational; hunger, thirst, lust

   
Image From Steven S. Tigner
What is Justice in the soul?
Plato’s Republic Book IV
Tripartite Soul

Rational Wisdom
Wise ruling part—exercises
Foresight for the good of the soul

Spirited Courage
Obeys the rational part and helps
to rally and govern the appetites

Appetitive Self-Mastery
Irrational; hunger, thirst, lust

   
Image From Steven S. Tigner
 Some Implications of
Socrates’ Tri-Partite
Soul

   
 Injustice
When choices are based on blind impulse

Appetite
Appetite calls the shots.

It rallies emotion and ambition to pursue a

given pleasure or whim.

It can easily mislead reason.

   
Injustice
When choices are based on blind ambition or emoti

Spirit
Blind ambition or emotion call the shots.

The spirited part chooses what it wants

regardless of its rightness or wrongness

Think about fraud, road rage, cheating,

stealing, violence, bullying or abuse of
power.

Decisions are unchecked by reason’s

evaluation of a choice or action.
   
Justice in the soul

Insights from Plato’s Republic on 3 seats of

motivation
Reason
Needs wisdom

Spirit
Needs Courage

Appetite
Needs Moderation—sophrosune,
Self-mastery
   
Image From Steven S. Tigner